A month long cornucopia of events celebrating local food and drink kicked off tonight at the newly opened Thornes Food Shop and Restaurant. Local producers and suppliers offered tantalising tasters of their foods wines, beers and soft drinks to over 100 guests thronging the newly opened store in Upper Gardener Street. Opening speeches were given by Paula Seager of Natural PR, Roger Marlowe who instigated the first Brighton and Hove Food Festival, Jason Hurwitz of Thornes Foods and Andrew Kay, writer and food critic for Latest magazine.